76ERS DREAM A NIGHTMARE.

Byline: STEVE DILBECK

PHILADELPHIA - They got what they wanted, or at least they thought they did. A dogfight at home. Shaquille O'Neal fouled out. Their two stars playing big.

And it still slipped away. This was the kind of game the 76ers were supposed to excel at, the kind they were sure they would win.

Instead, the Sixers left First Union Center a disappointing 96-91 loser to the Lakers Sunday in a Game 3 you just know is going to come back to haunt.

The second half was looking like something designed in Larry Brown's coaching laboratory, the Sixers rallying from a 13-point deficit, their pressure bothering the Lakers, the game agonizingly close to being within reach.

Then they all but melted. Missed shots, fumbled rebounds, curious decisions by players and Brown alike.

``I think the momentum went our way, but I really don't understand the things we did at the end,'' Sixers center Dikembe Mutombo said. ``I would not say I'm very pleased. We just didn't do things right.''

They did the things to put them in position to win, and then tripped. It was the ``be careful what you wish for'' scenario.

After scraping throughout most of the second half to overcome a 55-45 deficit at the break, the Sixers finally pulled to within a basket on a Mutombo follow shot.

The Lakers' lead was down to 84-82 and the crowd was reaching a fever pitch, just the way the Sixers had planned. A game the Lakers led most of the way was right there to be stolen. Vintage Sixers material.

``I thought we had them in a very difficult situation,'' Brown said. ``We just didn't get it done.''

This won't be one for the Sixers' Finals scrapbook. Not the way they shrunk when the game called out for a hero, not the way they watched the other team step up.

The Lakers were clinging to a two-point lead when O'Neal picked up his sixth foul and headed for the Lakers bench with 2:21 to play. The crowd of 20,900 was on its feet, the momentum was all Philly's, the game there to be taken.

Allen Iverson hit one of two free throws to make it a one-point game. Rick Fox hit a pair of three throws for the Lakers, but then Iverson drove the baseline and Raja Bell couldn't handle his pass under the basket.

Kobe Bryant, who had a sensational second quarter but struggled throughout the second half, then drove a wide-open lane and pulled up for 10-foot jumper.

Then at the 1:34 mark, Brown made an odd decision. He sat Mutombo, who had 23 points and 12 rebounds and now was the dominant big man with O'Neal out. Mutombo wouldn't play again until there were 9.5 seconds left and the game was over.

The Sixers double-teamed Bryant at the top of the key, the Lakers swung the ball around ... and there was veteran Robert Horry standing behind the 3-point arc near the baseline, lonely as a teen-ager home on prom night.

Horry calmly sank the shot, and the Lakers were back up by five with 47.2 seconds to play. All that courage the crowd was working up for the team was shrinking, and the Sixers play down the stretch wouldn't rekindle it.

Iverson was fouled on a 3-point attempt and made all three free throws to make it 92-91 with 27.6 seconds. Still so close, still so far away. Still, Mutombo sat.

``I didn't think they'd guard Dikembe and maybe would double Allen,'' Brown said. ``If we had scored, we were out of timeouts and needed to press anyway.''

Horry continued his Mr. Clutch play, hitting a pair of free throws, and then Iverson missed a 3-pointer. The Sixers rebounded, rookie Raja Bell missed another 3, and Philadelphia rebounded again. The Sixers trailed 94-91 when they called timeout with 21.3 seconds to play. They clearly needed a 3-pointer, but they inbounded to Aaron McKie, who passed to Iverson ... who drove to the basket and missed.

``I wanted to take a wide-open 3 if we had it, if not, drive to the hoop,'' Brown said. ``Our first option was to throw it to Allen. We said if Aaron was free, throw it to him. He was, but was just exhausted and threw it back to Allen.''

Horry hit a couple more free throws. He was clutch. The Sixers were left crying about respect, the homecourt edge they had taken from the Lakers in the opener, taken back again.

``We had our chances, it got away,'' Iverson said.

``It was tough on us. They played a good game. You know, we weren't supposed to even be that close, so obviously we're doing something right.''

Just not enough, which often is the difference in these things. This was the kind of game the Sixers thought they would win. The kind they can't afford to let slip away.

``If you're gonna win a championship, when you have opportunities to win, you've got to hope you're fortunate enough to do it,'' Brown said.

They had them in the trenches. Had them where they thought they wanted them. All they had in the end, was the wrong end of the score.

A CLOSER LOOK: GAME 3

2ND CHANCE POINTS: LAKERS 11, 76ERS 8

FAST-BREAK POINTS: LAKERS 4, 76ERS 8

POINTS OFF OF TURNOVERS: LAKERS 8, 76ERS 8

3-POINT PERCENTAGE: LAKERS 40, 76ERS 17

HERO OF THE GAME

A big game can make a hero out of an unlikely role player, and the Lakers would be down 2-1 right now if not for Robert Horry. He made an impact with defense earlier in the playoffs, but every time the Lakers needed a clutch play in the fourth quarter, Horry was there.

GOAT OF THE GAME

Let's be honest. Allen Iverson is so important to the 76ers that he's going to be the hero or goat in any game they play. This time in the clutch he made one bad pass and missed a couple of jumpers. But that's what happens when you're a team's first, second and third scoring options.

KEY MATCHUP

Aaron McKie deserves the NBA version of a purple heart for playing with a broken-down body, but even a healthy person would have trouble keeping up with Kobe Bryant. This matchup was lopsided from the beginning, and Bryant dominated the second quarter.

NBA FINALS GLANCE

Lakers lead series tied 2-1

Game 1: Philadelphia 107, Lakers 101

Game 2: Lakers 98, Philadelphia 89

Game 3: Lakers 96, Philadelphia 91

Game 4: Wednesday at Philadelphia, 6 p.m. Ch. 4

Game 5: Friday at Philadelphia, 6 p.m. Ch. 4

Game 6: June 18 at Lakers, 6 p.m. Ch. 4*

Game 7: June 20 at Lakers, 6 p.m. Ch. 4*

* - if necessary

LOOK AHEAD

The pressure is now 100 percent on the 76ers. A Game 4 loss would put them down 3-1 and effectively end the series. Can the Lakers maintain that killer instinct they've had throughout the playoffs?

NUMBERS GAME

6/7

It happened early, but Shaquille O'Neal made 6 of 7 free-throw attempts. In a close game that made a huge difference, even though the big man fouled out.

KEY TO THE GAME

Duh, it's the fact that with two starters fouled out, the Lakers showed the guts to win in one of the league's toughest arenas. Kobe Bryant shook off his second-half slump and Robert Horry showed why he's a three-time NBA champion.

GAME BREAKDOWN

FIRST QUARTER

Not surprisingly, the 76ers ride the emotion of their home crowd to an 8-4 lead, but Allen Iverson misses a couple of open looks and the Lakers go on a 10-4 run. Shaquille O'Neal makes 6 of 7 free-throw attempts, and the 76ers are apparently so stunned that they can't take advantage of some loose Lakers defense. A 6-0 spurt gives the 76ers a one-point lead with two minutes left.

LAKERS 25, 76ERS 25

SECOND QUARTER

Welcome home, Kobe Bryant. The boos from his hometown fans give Bryant more motivation to perform well, and he sizzles in this quarter. Bryant scores 10 consecutive Lakers points in one stretch and makes five consecutive shots as the Lakers threaten to pull away. Iverson makes only two field goals in the quarter and the Lakers seem as though they might pull away in the second half.

LAKERS 55, 76ERS 45

THIRD QUARTER

The Lakers' lead reaches 12 points on a Shaquille O'Neal turnaround, but Allen Iverson scores the next five to show that the 76ers won't go away. Two Dikembe Mutombo free throws complete the 7-0 run before the Lakers stabilize. Kobe Bryant begins to drive to the basket more and draws a couple of fouls and makes the free throws, but it's clear that the 76ers are still very much in the game.

LAKERS 73, 76ERS 66

FOURTH QUARTER

The lead is eight points with eight minutes to go, and the 76ers make their charge with a 10-4 run to cut the lead to 84-82. Shaquille O'Neal throws down a thundering putback dunk, but he and Derek Fisher foul out within two minutes of each other, leaving Kobe Bryant to fend for himself. But wait, there's Robert Horry, hitting a 3-pointer and four free throws and grabbing a big rebound to save the big guy's rear.

LAKERS 96, 76ERS 91

CAPTION(S):

21 photos, 3 boxes

Photo:

(1 -- color) The bench of the 76ers is somber in the fourth quarter of their Game 3 defeat.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer

(2 -- color) SHAQUILLE O'NEAL

Dumb sixth foul, but it's impossible to fault him otherwise.

Grade: A-

(3 -- color) KOBE BRYANT

Second quarter is the stuff of legends; also comes through at end.

Grade: A

(4 -- color) HORACE GRANT 

Just doesn't have the speed to keep up with the younger 76ers.

Grade: C-

(5 -- color) DEREK FISHER

Better than Game 1, worse than Game 2; Lakers need more offense from him.

Grade: B-

(6 -- color) RICK FOX

Virtually invisible until called upon after Shaq fouled out.

Grade: C

(7 -- color) ROBERT HORRY

Lakers need somebody to take charge late, and he exceeds all expectations.

Grade: A+

(8 -- color) DIKEMBE MUTOMBO

Deadly accurate on jumpers, but why didn't he take more in second half?

Grade: A-

(9 -- color) ALLEN IVERSON

Tries to do too much late in game; makes some unbelievable shots.

Grade: B+

(10 -- color) AARON MCKIE

Plays poorly, but it's hard to fault a guy who plays with so many injuries.

Grade: C+

(11 -- color) TYRONE HILL 

Did he realize there was a game going on? Four fouls and nothing positive for 76ers.

Grade: F

(12 -- color) JUMAINE JONES 

Hits a nice 3-pointer early, but then disappears for rest of game.

Grade: C

(13 -- color) ERIC SNOW 

Tries to match Kobe's second quarter, but where was he with the game on the line?

Grade: B

(14 -- color) TOP GUNS

BRYANT: 32 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists

(15 -- color)

IVERSON: 35 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists

(16 -- 17 -- color) no caption (Aaron McKie and Kobe Bryant)

(18 -- color) FIRST QUARTER

(19 -- color) SECOND QUARTER

(20 -- color) THIRD QUARTER

(21 -- color) FOURTH QUARTER

Box:

(1) A CLOSER LOOK: GAME 3 (see text)

(2) NBA FINALS GLANCE (see text)

(3) GAME BREAKDOWN (see text)